Chapter 1: Introduction

At the south of modern day Turkey, near the border with Syria, lies the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe. This artificial mound (a so-called tell) of about 15 meters height and 300 meters circumference, contains more than 200 T-shaped stone pillars organized in about twenty circles. The dating of this site shows that is was eracted about twelve to ten thousand years ago. To put things in a chronological perspective: the time between Göbekli Tepe and the oldest known Egyptian pyramids is about three times the time between those pyramids and our present day.

The site is discovered in 1963 and excavated by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut – but large parts still remain unexcavated. Even though the exact meaning and purpose of this site remain a mystery, it has been suggested that this structure could be seen as one of the oldest known temples in the world. And when we compare the findings here with the cave paintings we find at Lascaux, interesting differences start to become apparent.

First, read a small article on this comparison. After that, watch the documentary From horizontal to Vertical. Once you have finished that, go to the exercises.